Roman Law and EU Treaties Quiz

The period in Roman history marked by the rule of kings.

A loose federation of city-states in ancient Italy, including Rome.

The overthrow of the Etruscan kings and the establishment of the Roman Republic in 509 BC.

Powerful clans in early Roman society, each led by a "pater familias" (father of the family).

The wealthy and powerful class in early Rome, who held most of the land and political power.

The common people in early Rome, who had fewer rights and less political influence.

The highest governing body in the Roman Republic, composed of elder statesmen and advisors.

The codification of Roman law in 451 BC, reducing the power of the priests and making the law more accessible to the people.

The European Union (EU) was formed in 1992 with the Maastricht Treaty which transformed the European Community into the EU. This event, along with the expansion of the EU eastward following the collapse of the Soviet Union, marked a significant step toward European integration.

The idea of a unified European law is central to the process of integrating Europe. This concept involves having a common set of rules and principles for private law across all member states.

A 'ius commune' refers to a common body of law that applies to a specific region or group. In the context of Europe, there is an ongoing effort to establish a 'ius commune' for private law.

The establishment of a European 'ius commune' faces challenges, including the reluctance of nations to relinquish control over their justice systems and internal security. This raises concerns about preserving national sovereignty.

The Roman legal system, known as 'civil law,' is rooted in the rediscovery of Roman law during the Middle Ages. It is characterized by comprehensive legal codes and a focus on legislation as the primary source of law.

English common law developed independently from Roman law. It emphasizes precedents (judicial decisions) and custom as primary sources of law rather than codified statutes.

The Corpus Iuris Civilis, a collection of Roman law compiled under the Emperor Justinian, served as a foundational text for the development of civil law in Europe. It influenced legal systems across Europe.

The influence of Roman law was less pronounced in England compared to other parts of Europe. Instead, English law developed its own system based on case law and custom.

The 3rd century crisis in the Roman Empire (235-284) was a period of significant instability and upheaval, marked by frequent changes of emperors, civil wars, and external threats.

The Roman army was initially positioned closer to the Mediterranean Sea during the 3rd century crisis. This strategy aimed to protect the heart of the empire, but it left the northern and eastern borders vulnerable to Germanic tribes and Persian invasions.

Diocletian's reforms, implemented between 284 and 305, aimed to stabilize the Roman Empire during the 3rd century crisis. These reforms included a strengthened military, a more centralized administration, and the division of the empire into two halves.

Constantine the Great (reigned 324-337) played a significant role in shaping the later Roman Empire. He embraced Christianity as the official religion, built Constantinople as the new eastern capital, and reunited the empire.

The Dominate, a period in Roman history, marked a shift from a republic to a fully centralized monarchy.

The Dominate era saw the emperor become a powerful absolute ruler, seen as both the master and deity of the state.

The Senate, once a powerful body in the Roman Republic, lost its political influence under the Dominate, becoming less significant in the empire's political structure.

From a republic to a monarchy, the Roman Empire's system of legitimizing power evolved. The shift from an ascending theory of power based on consent to a descending theory of power based on divine right was a key characteristic of the Dominate

The practice in Rome where individuals were responsible for upholding and enforcing legal rulings and judgments.

A system where courts in Rome could only address legal issues with existing specific legal remedies. New remedies were rarely created.

The priest in Roman society held significant power to interpret and amend legal principles known as 'leges actiones'.

A crucial step in the evolution of Roman law where legal principles became more independent and a new body of law reflecting international trade and interactions emerged.

The adoption of Greek philosophical ideas, particularly dialectical logic, played a significant role in shaping Roman legal thought.

A school of Greek philosophers who challenged the divine origin of law, arguing instead that its basis lay in the consent of citizens.

The concept that law is not absolute and can be modified or changed by human will, a notion championed by the Sophists.

The development of dialogue as a form of intellectual exploration, as made famous by Socrates, who constantly questioned and debated ideas.

The set of rules governing the relationships between gods and men in Roman society. Offending these rules was considered 'nefas' (taboo) and could bring divine wrath upon the entire population.

The rules governing the relationships between Roman citizens. Breaking these rules constituted an 'inuria' (wrong), which was generally enforced by the aggrieved citizen.

Laws governing interactions between Roman citizens and foreigners, developed during the late Republic. This was a form of universal private law.

The Law of the Twelve Tables (450 BC) was meant to curtail the priests' influence in lawmaking and solidify traditional Roman law. It primarily contained rules regarding private, criminal, and procedural law, with a few rules addressing constitutional and religious matters.

The two-phase process used in Roman civil procedure. It involved a first phase ('in iure') before a priest to determine if the case could be tried, and a second phase ('apud iudicem') before a judge to hear evidence and reach a verdict.

The first stage of the legis actio procedure, where a priest determined if a dispute fell under the provisions of 'ius civile' and could be brought to trial.

The second stage of the legis actio procedure, where the case was heard before a judge or judges, evidence was presented, and a verdict was reached.

The primary form of evidence in Roman legal proceedings, relying on witness testimonies and oral arguments. This reflects the importance of oral communication in ancient Roman society.

The collection of Justinian's imperial constitutions, providing a comprehensive set of laws.

A collection of writings from prominent Roman jurists, including Papinian, Ulpian, Paul, Modestinus, and Gaius, that served as a valuable resource for legal interpretation.

A textbook intended to introduce students to Roman Law, offering a systematic introduction to legal concepts and principles.

A process implemented by Roman Emperors to give order to the mass of scholarly opinions in legal disputes by limiting which jurists could be quoted in legal arguments.